You're a homeowner and determined your home's air conditioning needs fixing or needs to be replaced with a newer, more efficient system. You're all set to get moving. What's the optimal way to get a high quality HVAC contractor who will do a good job for a fair price? What could you look for in an air conditioning contractor to obtain this work? Indian Lake

Indian Lake

Heating and air-conditioning contractors are busy all year round. Most Americans will install their heating systems in fall, or even during winter. Conversely, when summer is just about the corner, everybody seems to be rushing and buying air-conditioners, to make the indoor living bearable. Retailers know this very well, and year after year, witness the rush of customers spurred into action of the hostile weather.Not surprisingly, specialist shops are waiting for those timely customers, with huge stocks of heating and cooling equipment. Various brands, within a wide price range, so that everybody can afford his or her bit of comfort. Even if the funds are stretched a bit, terms and hire purchase loans are available, at very enticing conditions. Why? Because sellers want you to buy when they're ready, and contractors are waiting to install it for you... at their prices. That's the whole issue here. If you're buying on your terms, you'll save substantial amount of money. How? When you buy out of season, heaters and air conditioners will be dramatically cheaper, because shops will have to get rid of them, to make room for the new stock. It doesn't mean though, going to K-Mart and looking for a large selection of air conditioners and room coolers, just on the first day of winter. What you'll probably find, are just a few units filling in the shelves. It's too late.Timing is everything here. To buy cooling equipment, you need to start looking in the second half of summer, and beginning of fall. Then you'll witness every major retailer putting on huge "Special Sale" signs, and offering their Carrier, Fujitsu, LG, Deakin and other air conditioners at seriously reduced prices. On average, they are 25-45% lower than at the beginning of summer. Even the reverse systems, which can equally be used for heating during the incoming winter, will be reduced.And yes, you've guessed it. Heaters and heating equipment will start rising in prices right from the beginning of fall. They will come down later in the spring, when everybody starts thinking about the hot summer. Although those frequent periods of unseasonal weather can somewhat affect peoples' buying intentions, the rule remains: buy outside of the season and save. More expensive brands are particularly prone to significant price drops, when going out of season. As for the installation services; heating and air conditioning contractors have quiet times, with only a few orders, during the above mentioned periods. Although you'll need them mainly to do those more complicated installations of the split systems, their charges will be about 20-30% lower than during the peak season, where there's a queue of people waiting for the tradesmen services. If your bargaining skills are good enough, you can end up with a quality heating or air-conditioning system installed by a reputable contractor, for about 20-30% less than during the peak time. And that's a saving worth doing some forward planning!

Air Conditioner Installation

When it comes to staying cool during the summer months, it doesn't get much better than your own personal air conditioning unit. Likewise, when it comes to saving money, a DIY AC installation is simply brilliant. In this article, we will outline the basics of home AC installation.Required Tools / Materials• Window Air Conditioning Unit• Shims or Some Equivalent Thereof• Various Tools To Help Fasten (Screws, Nails, Stapler, Hammer, Screwdriver, etc.)• Weather Stripping• A Strong Adhesive• Level• Measuring Tape Step 1 - Be sure to purchase a unit that has the highest available efficiency rating along with the proper thermal counts corresponding to the size of the room. Estimate the thermal count by way of multiplying the square footage of the room by 35. Make sure to take into account additional heat in the room as well. For example, a kitchen will require an added 4,000 units. Rooms that are occupied by more than two individuals should add 600 units per occupant past the initial two.Step 2 - Measure your window prior to making a purchase in order to ensure the unit will fit the bottom section of the glass. Window glass covering should be able to move both up and down, or else the unit will not be fitted properly.Step 3 - Decide on the best window for the installation. Ideally, you will want to choose a window frame located as close to the center of the room as possible. Outside shade is an added bonus. Also avoid placement near obstructions such as appliances or furniture if at all possible.Step 4 - The frame must be properly prepared for the unit. Move the glass bottom upwards. Arrange a leveling piece such as a plank of scrap wood or a shim, cut to the correct size on the sill, providing a tilt, enabling the water to drain. Use screws to attach the unit. Step 5 - Place the unit onto the window sill. For units that include an accordion flap, fit it to the frame. Be sure to install any included metal brackets as well. Fasten the brackets and/or flap to the window frame with staples, nails, or screws, and then close the window onto the unit.Step 6 - Cover or fill any and all sections which do not have an airtight seal through the use of weather stripping.Step 7 - Turn on and enjoy!